Chapter 6: Missions, Chickens, and the Art of Not Paying People
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[The Broke Awakens]
The courtyard was alive with the sound of hammers, half-chants, and distant screaming (possibly from the mural girl trying to paint a wall while still blindfolded).
Li Qingyu stood in the middle of the chaos, pouch in hand.
"Two spirit coins," he whispered.
Behind him, Iron Egg attempted to bench press a support beam and yelled, "This one's for the bricks, bro!"
Su Jian held up the cost ledger. "At current rate of spending, we will be spiritually bankrupt in T-minus four hours."
Ziyan sheathed her sword. "The workers will leave if we can't pay them by nightfall."
Hu Daniu offered helpfully, "I can dig a tunnel and rob bandits again!"
"No more tunnels, Daniu!" Li Qingyu snapped. "Last time you tunneled into a latrine pit!"
Daniu scratched his head. "The treasure was metaphorical."
Su Jian raised an eyebrow. "We need actual funds. Fast."
Li Qingyu pinched the bridge of his nose. "I don't want to do this... but I must."
He walked solemnly to the chicken pen.
Five spiritual chickens looked up at him, majestic and clueless.
"Eggy. Cluckles. Senior Rooster. Feather Fist. Wing-Tsun."
They cooed in unison.
Li Qingyu fell to his knees.
"I'm sorry… I swore I'd never sell you. You're family. But right now, you're also… dinner money."
He hugged Eggy tight.
Ziyan sniffled. "Are we really selling the chickens?"
Su Jian nodded. "One chicken = 20 spirit stones. They could fund everything for a week."
Daniu held up a feather. "Can we at least keep this for memory?"
Li Qingyu wiped a tear. "Sell them with honor. Tell the buyer they were trained in spiritual poultry kung fu."
Su Jian: "What if they ask for a demonstration?"
Ziyan: "Let them peck Daniu."
Daniu: "Wait—what?"
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[Later That Day – Capital City Chicken Market]
Li Qingyu stood behind a crate marked "Legendary Spirit Chickens – Not Haunted!"
A crowd gathered as he held up Eggy dramatically.
"Behold! The chicken that once pecked a demonic wolf into submission!"
Gasps from the crowd.
A merchant in the back muttered, "Looks like a chicken."
Li Qingyu pointed. "Looks like a chicken. Fights like a beast!"
Eggy flapped her wings.
"She has mastered the Featherless Sky Kick Technique!"
Su Jian coughed. "That's not a real—"
"Marketing, Su! Marketing!"
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By sunset, all five chickens were sold.
Funds earned: 100 spirit coins.
Emotionally? Bankrupt.
Li Qingyu wept. "Farewell… warriors of the coop."
Ziyan patted his back. "We'll name the new outhouse in their honor."
Daniu grinned. "Eggy's Restroom!"
Li Qingyu sobbed harder.
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[Back at the Sect – Urgent Council Meeting]
Li Qingyu slapped a map on the table.
"Alright. We've bought ourselves a little time. But we can't live off spirit chicken sales forever."
Ziyan: "We can't?"
"No! We need recurring income!"
Su Jian adjusted his glasses. "What's the plan?"
"We split up and go on missions to earn funds."
Ziyan: "What kind of missions?"
Li Qingyu grinned. "Simple. Chaotic. Lucrative. I don't care how—you trade, escort, run deliveries, enter tournaments, gamble with style—whatever gets spirit stones."
Daniu raised his hand. "Can I juggle flaming cucumbers in the market again?"
"…You may."
Li Qingyu turned dramatically. "My disciples, go forth! Earn riches, glory, and roof tiles!"
Ziyan: "And if we fail?"
Li Qingyu's eye twitched. "Then I go back to the chicken market… and sell myself."
Daniu gasped. "Do you think you'd get 20 spirit stones?"
"…Get out."
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End of Chapter 6
Author Note – The Chickens Have Fallen
Dear readers,
Our beloved spiritual chickens have left the coop… for capitalism.
If you shed a tear, laughed, or considered naming your bathroom "Eggy's Restroom," drop a power stone!
In Chapter 7, each disciple will go on their own ridiculous mission to earn money—with wild NPCs, misunderstandings, and maybe even an unexpected recruit or two.
Until then—pray for Eggy.
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